Fuel cell and system for supplying electrolyte thereto with wick feed
First Claim
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1. A system for supplying electrolyte to fuel cells in a stack of fuel cells comprising:
- (a) means for storing electrolyte externally to said fuel cells, an individual one of said cells including an electrolyte matrix means for drawing electrolyte;
(b) means for conducting electrolyte from said storing means to the electrolyte matrix means in each of said cells, said conducting means including a wicking medium; and
(c) means for maintaining a predetermined hydrostatic pressure of electrolyte at said conducting means.
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Abstract
An electrolyte distribution and supply system for use with a fuel cell having a means for drawing electrolyte therein is formed by a set of containers of electrolyte joined to respective fuel cells in a stack of such cells. The electrolyte is separately stored so as to provide for electrical isolation between electrolytes of the individual cells of the stack. Individual storage compartments are coupled by tubes containing wicking fibers, the ends of the respective tubes terminating on the means for drawing electrolyte in each of the respective fuel cells. Each tube is heat shrunk to tightly bind the fibers therein.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for supplying electrolyte to fuel cells in a stack of fuel cells comprising:
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(a) means for storing electrolyte externally to said fuel cells, an individual one of said cells including an electrolyte matrix means for drawing electrolyte; (b) means for conducting electrolyte from said storing means to the electrolyte matrix means in each of said cells, said conducting means including a wicking medium; and (c) means for maintaining a predetermined hydrostatic pressure of electrolyte at said conducting means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for supplying electrolyte to fuel cells in a stack of fuel cells comprising:
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(a) means for storing electrolyte externally to said fuel cells, an individual one of said cells including an electrolyte matrix means for drawing electrolyte; and (b) means for conducting electrolyte from said storing means to the electrolyte matrix means in each of said cells said conducting means including a wicking medium.
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Specification